Evolution of herbal medicines in Europe and its relationship with modern medicine

The histories of Western orthodox medicine (OM) and herbal medicine (HM) are inextricably intertwined because until the nineteenth century, with the advent of synthetic chemistry, all drugs were obtained from natural sources, and mostly from plants. Europe has always been well-connected to other parts of the world, via trade, colonization, and immigration, so its systems of medicine have evolved from the traditional medical practices of many ethnic groups and ancient civilizations from various parts of the world. These may differ widely in their philosophies and practical adaptations but often have herbal drugs in common: For example, ginger is used in almost all forms of traditional medicine, including European HM, despite being a tropical plant. European herbal medicine now uses plants from all over the world and especially China, India, South East Asia, and the Americas